Acid reflux in children is a real cause for concern. It makes us frantic when our children are sick and wrinkled with grief. We suffer just as much as they… but how the hell can we help?
First, we need to figure out what’s wrong…and recognizing acid reflux in children can sometimes be tricky, especially if it’s a young child.
If a child complains of tummy ache or chest pain, you should limit it by asking a few questions such as:
- Where it hurts?
- does it burn?
- Your throat hurts?
- Is there a bitter taste in the back of the throat?
And so. It’s probably acid indigestion if you report a burning sensation in your chest or solar plexus area, especially if it’s accompanied by an unpleasant taste.
Dose the child with half a teaspoon of bicarbonate ‘Arm and Hammer’ dissolved in warm water. If the pain goes away, you can be sure it’s heartburn and you can relax a bit… Ordinary heartburn is uncomfortable, but it’s not dangerous. However, you should be alert for other symptoms that indicate a more serious condition, namely GERD.
Symptoms of acid reflux in children
Common symptoms of acid reflux in children:
- Chest pain (burning sensation).
- Regurgitation after eating, followed by a foul taste in the back of the throat.
- Delicacy with food or reluctance to eat.
- After dinner nausea.
- Sore throat.
- Occasional gagging or choking.
- Wheezing, bronchitis or asthma.
- Dry cough accompanied by hoarseness.
- Bad sleep patterns.
- Excessive drooling, a condition known as ‘water spouting’.
- Toothache.
- Bad breath.
- Bad growth patterns.
If one or more of the above is present, it’s time to make some dietary and lifestyle changes…not just for the child, but for the whole family.
Recommended lifestyle changes
- Replace carbonated drinks with non-carbonated fruit juices.
- Do not play or do strenuous exercise for an hour after eating.
- Serve smaller meals and include a decent mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack in your daily diet.
- Serve dinner at least three hours before bed.
- Make sure they drink plenty of bottled water.
- There is no water during meals.
- No chocolate or mint.
- Elevate the head of the child’s bed by placing 6-inch-high blocks or bricks under the feet.
What if heartburn persists?
If heartburn persists or worsens after making these changes, your child may have GERD and should see their doctor as soon as possible.
Also, a follow-up visit to the dentist is a must. Acid reflux can sometimes cause loss of tooth enamel.
Specialized treatment is absolutely essential for the small percentage of babies and young children who develop GERD. These babies and young children are prone to other serious illnesses if the condition is not treated, such as:
- Damage to the lungs. If gastric juices enter the trachea, problems such as bronchitis, pneumonia, and asthma will surely follow. In the worst case, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) could result.
- esophagitis. Stomach acid that continually splashes down the walls of the feeding tube causes inflammation that could lead to oesophagitis. If left untreated, esophagitis becomes extremely painful, making it almost impossible for the child to swallow. Ulcers soon appear in the feeding tube…followed by scars. These scars wrinkle and shrink the walls of the esophagus, causing it to narrow. These strictures can block the esophagus and prevent food from reaching the stomach. If an ulcer ruptures, it could lead to life-threatening internal bleeding… Watch out for black or bloody stools.
- Barrett’s esophagus is a fairly rare condition that occurs in a small percentage of patients. However, this condition is dangerous! If left untreated, it could lead to a deadly form of cancer.
Your doctor may prescribe a proton pump inhibitor or an H2 blocker to control acid production. This may be necessary to allow the injured esophagus to heal.
Make sure your child does not take these medicines for more than 8 weeks without further evaluation.
